Private Seth Holden

[steveflan]

My Great Uncle, Seth Holden was killed in action in WW1 on 14 October 1918, aged around 21 - just a few weeks before the end!

I have found his grave through CWGC. He is buried

The records I have found on Ancestry are:

Name: Seth Holden
Birthplace: Liverpool
Residence: Everton, Lancashire
Death Date: 14 October 1918
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Birkenhead
Rank: Private
Regiment: Cheshire Regiment
Battalion: 1/4th Battalion
Number: 202545
Type of Casualty: Killed in Action
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

I know this is the correct Seth Holden as the details match those in his obituary in one of the local papers.

However, I do have one question with regards to his Medal Roll Index Card

His name, rank and Regiment all match those above, however, there appear to be 2 Regimental numbers.

The first is 20163, with a second entry with the number 202545 (as matches above).

Anyone know why there would be 2 Regiment numbers? I find it hard to believe that there were 2 Seth Holden's serving in the Cheshire Regiment at the time.

[daggers]

The 1/4th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment was a Territorial Force unit, based in Birkenhead. Its members would be given a number on attestation, in a sequence of numbers allocated to that battalion. In early 1917 the system changed and all TF members were given a new, 6-figure number, from blocks allocated to regiments (such as the Cheshires) rather than to a particular battalion.

D

[steveflan]

Daggers

Many thanks for the info.

So, if I've read it correctly, his number was 20163 on enlistment which was then changed to 202545 in 1917 under the new system?